Dive Site: Siyul Kebira

About Siyul Kebira

Siyul Kebira, also known as Big Siyul, is a prominent island dive site situated in the Northern Red Sea, roughly 30 minutes to an hour by boat from Hurghada. It serves as a regular stop for multi-day liveaboards exploring the Gubal Strait, making it a key location within a wider Red Sea itinerary. The site is noted for its diverse underwater landscape, offering multiple distinct diving spots around the island, catering to a broad range of diver interests and skill levels. The topography here is rich and varied, featuring extensive coral gardens, dramatic reef walls, and numerous shallow lagoons. Depths typically range from approximately 15 meters (50 feet) down to a maximum of 40 meters (131 feet), accommodating both shallower recreational dives and deeper explorations. The north side of the island is particularly renowned for its stunning coral gardens and impressive reef walls. Divers typically enter by boat, often from a liveaboard's zodiac, and explore the varied formations. The marine life at Siyul Kebira is abundant and vibrant. Common sightings include schools of fusiliers, parrotfish grazing on corals, and two-banded anemonefish sheltering in anemones. Divers may also encounter larger species such as stonefish, frogfish, and dolphins. Other potential sightings include sharks, whales, and turtles. The area's rich biodiversity makes for consistently engaging encounters for observant divers. This site is accessible for all diver levels, from Open Water certified individuals to advanced divers, thanks to its varied depths and features. It is frequently visited as part of a liveaboard itinerary, with dives typically commencing from Sunday morning to Friday. The site’s suitability for drift diving means divers should be prepared for potential currents, making PADI Drift Diver training beneficial. Visibility can be excellent, often reaching up to 30 meters (100 feet), providing clear views of the expansive reefs.